User interface for operating a computer from a distance

ABSTRACT

Switching between an arm&#39;s length user interface and a distance user interface is provided. A first user interface optimized to operate a computer from an arm&#39;s-length distance is presented on a display. A command is received. It is determined whether the command is from a wired device or a wirelessly-connected device. When the command is from a wired device, then the first user interface continues to be presented. When the command is from a wirelessly-connected device, then the display is toggled from the first user interface to the distance user interface. The distance user interface is optimized for operating the computer from a television-viewing distance. The television-viewing distance measured in feet is approximately half of a diagonal measure of the image displayed on the display device measured in inches.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/174,619, filed Jun. 19, 2002, entitled “User Interface For OperatingA Computer From A Distance,”, which is herein incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to user interfaces for operatingcomputers. More particularly, the present invention provides a methodand apparatus for enabling the operation of a personal computer from adistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today's personal computer user interfaces (UI), such as that implementedin the “Windows 95” Operating System produced by Microsoft Corporationof Redmond, Wash., are designed for optimum interaction with the user(end-user) operating in close proximity to the computer and monitor. Onemight refer to this as a “two-foot user interface” (2′UI) since the userinteracts approximately within two feet of the computer, monitor,keyboard, and mouse. This design makes it impractical to interact withthe computer from a longer distance.

In contrast, a television (TV) is often viewed at a distance, or fromacross a room. But a typical 2′UI, with its small text and small icons,could not be used to operate a computer from a commensurate distance. Acomputer equipped with a Distance User Interface (DUI) could be sooperated. Accordingly, one practical application in the technical artsof the present invention is providing for the operation of a computer ata television-viewing distance by providing a DUI.

Interaction with Personal Computers (PCs) can be extended intoentertainment centerpieces. Although the PC can be the center ofproductivity in most homes, no longer are computers being used to merelywrite a letter or create a spreadsheet. As important as such functionsare, there is a growing demand to move the computer from the office tothe living room because of its entertainment-providing potential. Toshare media content such as digital photographs and digitized videos,people must huddle around a computer running a 2′UI operated by a userin close proximity. There exists a problem with easily accessing mediacontent stored on a computer. Such a problem can be solved by providinga DUI, which can be comfortably viewed and easily used to operate thecomputer from a distance, approximately equal to a television-viewingdistance. With a new, easy-to-navigate user interface and a simpleremote control, users will have a more relaxed way to enjoy their music,videos and photos with friends and family from their PC.

Previous attempts have been made to create a computer distance-viewingexperience. For instance, couplings and adapters exist whereby theoutput from a computer can be displayed on a conventional, largetelevision or large plasma display device. This attempt, however, doesnot address the operability of the user interface. Rather, it merelymakes a 2′UI bigger. A larger 2′UI does not offer the advantages of theDUI disclosed by the present invention, such as the ease of operationfrom a distance with a remote control device.

There exists a need for a distance user interface, which can provide theability to operate a computer from across a room, or at a distancecommensurate with a television-viewing distance for a TV similar in sizeto a chosen display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides several useful, concrete and tangibleresults, including a new user interface, enabling a computer user tooperate a computer from a television-viewing distance. The presentinvention enables users to access their favorite digital media contenton their PC from a distance and share the media experience with othersin a room. Several operative functions, including controlling televisionviewing from a distance, playing music stored on the computer andreceiving visual confirmation of what is being played from a distance,accessing digital photographs stored in the computer system, andcontrolling the playback of videos stored on a computer from a distanceare made available by the present invention. For example, users will beable to easily find and play their favorite music from across the roomin a variety of formats like CDs, WINDOWS Media Audio and MP3 format.From a television-viewing distance, they will be able to browse musiccover artwork from a PC music collection, share family photos withautomatic slideshows that combine music and photos, watch DVDs,streaming programming, and recorded video, and enjoy Internet-deliveredcontent such as game playing and web-casts.

The present invention includes a system, method, and article foroperating a computer from a television-viewing distance. In one aspectof the present invention, one or more memory storage devices haveembodied thereon computer-useable instructions for switching between anarm's length user interface and a distance user interface. The arm'slength that is optimized to operate a computer from an arm's-lengthdistance is presented. The display device is toggled from the arm'slength user interface to the distance user interface. The distance userinterface is optimized for operating the computer from atelevision-viewing distance. The television-viewing distance measured infeet is approximately half of a diagonal measure of the image displayedon the display device measured in inches.

In a second aspect of the invention, one or more memory storage deviceshave embodied thereon computer-useable instructions for switchingbetween an arm's length user interface and a distance user interface.The arm's length user interface that is optimized to operate a computerfrom an arm's-length distance is presented on a display. A command isreceived. In response to the command, the display is toggled from thearm's length user interface to the distance user interface. The distanceinterface is optimized for operating the computer from atelevision-viewing distance. The television-viewing distance measured infeet is approximately half of a diagonal measure of the image displayedon the display device measured in inches.

In a third aspect of the present invention, one or more memory storagedevices have embodied thereon computer-useable instructions forswitching between an arm's length user interface and a distance userinterface. The arm's length user interface that is optimized to operatea computer from an arm's-length distance is presented on a display. Acommand is received. It is determined whether the command is from awired device or a wirelessly-connected device. When the command is froma wired device, then the arm's length user interface continues to bepresented. When the command is from a wirelessly-connected device, thenthe display is toggled from the first user interface to the distanceuser interface. The distance user interface is optimized for operatingthe computer from a television-viewing distance. The television-viewingdistance measured in feet is approximately half of a diagonal measure ofthe image displayed on the display device measured in inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computing system environment suitable foruse in implementing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary operating environment for practicingthe present invention;

FIG. 2A is a functional diagram of an exemplary specialized remotecontrol for practicing the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an illustrative site map of a distance user interface;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary menu display of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A is an illustrative screen shot of the exemplary menu display ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary television-viewing display of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4A is an illustrative screen shot of the exemplarytelevision-viewing display of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B is an illustrative screen shot of an exemplary televisionprogramming guide display;

FIG. 4C is an illustrative screen shot of an exemplary televisionrecording display;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary music listening display of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5A is an illustrative screen shot of the exemplary music listeningdisplay of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary pictures display of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6A is an illustrative screen shot of the exemplary pictures displayof FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary videos display of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A is an illustrative screen shot of the exemplary videos displayof FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary settings display of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 8A is an illustrative screen shot of the exemplary settings displayof FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new user interface, a distance userinterface, to enable PC operation from a television-viewing distance. Inone embodiment of the present invention, a user displays the distanceuser interface by issuing a command from a remote control that isreceived by the computer. The distance user interface is displayed witha menu of available selectable options, or links. The distance userinterface is optimized to be viewed from a television-viewing distance.When followed, these selectable links take a user to other displaystopically related to functional identifiers on the menu display. A morein-depth description of the present invention will be provided below.

Having briefly described an embodiment of the present invention, anexemplary operating environment for the present invention is describedbelow.

Exemplary Operating Environment

Referring to the drawings in general and initially to FIG. 1 inparticular, wherein like reference numerals identify like components inthe various figures, an exemplary operating environment for implementingthe present invention is shown and designated generally as operatingenvironment 100. The computing system environment 100 is only oneexample of a suitable computing environment and is not intended tosuggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of theinvention. Neither should the computing environment 100 be interpretedas having any dependency or requirement relating to any one orcombination of components illustrated in the exemplary operatingenvironment 100.

The invention may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may bepracticed with a variety of computer system configurations, includinghand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers,and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules may be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 for implementing theinvention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of acomputer 110 including a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and asystem bus 121 that couples various system components including thesystem memory to the processing unit 120.

Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Byway of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprisecomputer storage media and communication media. Examples of computerstorage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, electronicallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical or holographic disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by computer 110. The system memory 130 includes computerstorage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such asread only memory (ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basicinput/output system 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within computer 110, such asduring start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typicallycontains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible toand/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way ofexample, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating system 134,application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data137.

The computer 110 may also include other removable/nonremovable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive 141 that reads from or writes tononremovable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 thatreads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, andan optical disk drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 156 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/nonremovable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 141 is typically connectedto the system bus 121 through a nonremovable memory interface such asinterface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disk drive 155are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 150.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 1, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 110. In FIG. 1, for example, hard disk drive 141 is illustratedas storing operating system 144, application programs 145, other programmodules 146, and program data 147. Note that these components can eitherbe the same as or different from operating system 134, applicationprograms 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137.Typically, the operating system, application programs and the like thatare stored in RAM are portions of the corresponding systems, programs,or data read from hard disk drive 141, the portions varying in size andscope depending on the functions desired. Operating system 144,application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data147 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum,they are different copies. A user may enter commands and informationinto the computer 110 through input devices such as a keyboard 162;pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touchpad; and an infrared transceiver 163. Other input devices (not shown)may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner,or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to theprocessing unit 120 through a user input interface 160 that is coupledto the system bus 121, but may be connected by other interface and busstructures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus(USB). A display device 191 is also connected to the system bus 121 viaan interface, such as a video interface 190. Video interface 190 couldalso accept in incoming video signal 189. Display device 191 can be anydevice to display the output of computer 110 not limited to a monitor,an LCD screen, a TFT screen, a flat panel display, a conventionaltelevision, or screen projector. In addition to the display device 191,computers may also include other peripheral output devices such asspeakers 197 and printer 196, which may be connected through an outputperipheral interface 195.

The computer 110 in the present invention will operate in a networkedenvironment using logical connections to one or more remote computers,such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personalcomputer, and typically includes many or all of the elements describedabove relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storagedevice 181 has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connectionsdepicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a widearea network (WAN) 173 but may also include other networks.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connectedto the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes amodem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user inputinterface 160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates remoteapplication programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will beappreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

Although many other internal components of the computer 110 are notshown, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that suchcomponents and the interconnection are well known. For example,including various expansion cards such as television tuner cards andnetwork interface cards within a computer 110 is conventional.Accordingly, additional details concerning the internal construction ofthe computer 110 need not be disclosed in connection with the presentinvention.

When the computer 110 is turned on or reset, the BIOS 133, which isstored in the ROM 131 instructs the processing unit 120 to load theoperating system, or necessary portion thereof, from the hard disk drive141 into the RAM 132. Once the copied portion of the operating system,designated as operating system 144, is loaded in RAM 132, the processingunit 120 executes the operating system code and causes the visualelements associated with the user interface of the operating system 134to be displayed on the monitor 191. Typically, when an applicationprogram 145 is opened by a user, the program code and relevant data areread from the hard disk drive 141 and the necessary portions are copiedinto RAM 132, the copied portion represented herein by reference numeral135.

System and Method for Providing a Distance User Interface

As previously mentioned, the present invention may be described in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions such as programmodules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally,program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modulesmay be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments.

Throughout this document, the term “TV” or “television” is used. “TV,”although technically short for “television,” has come to be associatedwith cable television, satellite television, and high-definitiontelevision.

Turning now to FIG. 2, an exemplary system environment for practicingthe present invention is referenced generally by the numeral 200. Adistance user interface (DUI) 210 is displayed on display device 191.DUI 210 can also be displayed on other display devices coupled tocomputer 110. DUI 210 is a graphical user interface designed to beoperated by an end-user 214 from a television-viewing distance. In apreferred embodiment, DUI 210 is displayed on a display device 191 witha resolution of 1,024×768 pixels and a visual screen area 212 ofapproximately sixteen inches, which is consistent with a 17″ monitor.Visual screen area 212 is a measure of the diagonal of the actual imagedisplayed on display device 191. The actual image display area has adisplay perimeter 222, which is the perimeter of the outermost viewablepixels.

DUI 210 is operated by end-user 214 using a remote control 216 capableof transmitting a wireless signal 218 from a television-viewing distance220. Television-viewing distance 220 is an estimate of a distanceend-user 214 would observe a television having a display areaapproximately the same size as visible screen area 212.Television-viewing distance 220 can vary based on the visual screen area212 available for a particular display device 191. Television-viewingdistance measured in feet is approximately half a viewable screen areaof said display device measured in inches. For example, atelevision-viewing distance may be approximately eight to twelve feetfor a display device 191 having a visible screen area 212 ofapproximately sixteen inches at a resolution of 1,024×768. This meansthat the DUI 210 can be comfortably viewed from a distance of abouteight feet on a 17-inch CRT monitor.

The wireless signal 218 is received by a wireless signal receiver 163coupled to computer 110. The wireless signal receiver 163 could beadapted to receive a variety of signals; for example infrared, radio, orwireless LAN signals.

DUI 210 is designed to provide a centralized display where an end-user214 can easily access a variety of media content stored on computer 110.In a preferred embodiment, a single screen provides links to suchcontent as digital pictures, digital videos, digital music, andstreaming video including television programming, satellite programming,Internet programming, time-delayed recordings, and other recordingsembodied on a computer readable medium. A music repository 223 storesaudio content and is not limited to musical recordings. Any form ofaudio such as dictations can also be stored in music repository 223.Similarly, a photograph repository 224 and video repository 226 are inconnection with computer 110 to store and retrieve photographs andvideos. A repository for storing other media 228 is also included forstoring an array of content and media formats. Each repository 223, 224,226, and 228 preferably reside on hard drive 141.

Conventional video cards can typically include inputs to receive acomposite video signal or a signal delivered via coaxial wire.Accordingly, any signal that can be inputted at least via theaforementioned inputs can be displayed on display device 191.Alternatively, the DUI 210 can be displayed on a device other thandisplay device 191 such as auxiliary display device 230.

Turning now to FIG. 2A, an exemplary specialized remote control 216 isshown. The remote control 216 depicted in FIG. 2A is shown forfunctional purposes only. It is not meant to imply any physical designrestraints or limitations. The specialized remote control 216 canoperate the computer 110 from at least a television-viewing distance.The remote control has circuitry built into it such that by pressing abutton, such as a DUI Switching Button 232, the DUI 210 is toggled onand off. When turned on, the DUI 210 enables remote operation from atelevision-viewing distance 220. When turned off, DUI 210 is not shownand computer 110 displays a conventional 2′UI, an arm's-length userinterface. DUI 210 can be toggled on and off in a variety of ways. In apreferred embodiment, DUI 210 responds to the source of input. DUI 210can be configured to be displayed when input from a wirelessly connecteddevice is sensed. For example, when a button on the remote control 216is pressed, DUI 210 senses the source of input as being the remotecontrol 216 and consequently activates itself. In a preferredembodiment, the DUI 210 acts as an overlay user interface which works intandem with various I/O devices to either display the DUI 210 or a 2′UI.For instance, when input from a wired keyboard 162 or mouse 161 isreceived, the 2′UI is displayed to end-user 214. Conversely, if thekeyboard 162 were a wireless keyboard, DUI 210 could be displayedinstead.

Also included on remote control 216 is a set of navigation buttons 234to control the focus of the DUI 210. An item on the DUI 210 has thefocus when it is ready to receive input from an input device such as thekeyboard or mouse, but in this case the remote control 216. A group offunctional buttons 236, for example On/Off, Pause, Frame Advance andBack, Fast Forward, Rewind, Skip Ahead, Instant Replay, Slow Motion,Advance to End/Beginning, Jump/Live TV, Record, and Stop can also beprovided on remote control 216.

An exemplary site map of DUI 210 is provided in FIG. 2B and isreferenced generally by the numeral 240. The exemplary site map 240 ofDUI 210 is not meant to be limiting, but rather to convey anillustrative view of a DUI 210. Although the details of the screens andselectable links of site map 240 will be explained in greater detail,site map 240 illustrates that DUI 210 is comprised of a main menu, whichhas a first level of options such as TV, MUSIC, PICTURES, VIDEO, andSETTINGS. Each of these options from the first level has at least asecond level of options that can lead to still other screens. Forinstance, MAIN MENU TV GUIDE brings up a guide. Site map 240 does notdepict all levels available in DUI 210, but rather depicts a simplifiedoverview of a possible hierarchical structure of DUI 210.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a main menu display is referenced generally bynumeral 300. Main menu display 300 is an exemplary display that is firstshown to end-user 214 when engaging the DUI 210. Main menu display 300has a DUI perimeter 222 that consumes the viewable area of a displaydevice in a preferred embodiment. Main menu display 300 includes a firstgroup of selectable links 310 including a first selectable link 312.First selectable link 312 includes a functional identifier 312A. Asshown, one function of first selectable link 312 is to view streamingmedia, such as television. An exemplary functional identifier 312A isshown as “My TV.” This link could also be used to view a video, a DVD,satellite television, an Internet web-cast, CATV, a surveillance cameraimage, or to play a game, conduct instant messaging, browse theinternet, listen to music, display photographs, or to present a host ofother services via the interface optimized to be viewed and operatedfrom a television-viewing distance 220. Functional identifier 312A isnot limited to a textual description. For example, an icon representinga television could also be a functional identifier. The functionalidentifier 312A could be any text or symbol that identifies the functionassociating with following first selectable link 312.

Also included on main menu display 300 is a selectable-link marker 314.Selectable-link marker 314 denotes a tentative selection, or the focus,by end-user 214. Using remote control 216, an end-user 214 can controlthe focus of different items using navigation buttons 234. An item hasthe focus when it is tentatively selected such that selecting a linkwill follow that link. As shown in FIG. 3, the “My TV” link 312currently has the focus. The selectable link marker 314 can take on avariety of forms. In a preferred embodiment, the selectable link marker314 is provided in color, a background color different from the othercolors of the other selectable links. For instance, each of the links inselectable link group 310 could have a background color of blue exceptfor the link that has the focus, e.g., the “My TV” link 312, which has abackground color of green. Main menu display 300 could also includesecond, third, fourth and fifth selectable links 316, 318, 320 and 322,respectively.

Second selectable link 316 provides a link to play music or other audioon the computer system 100 and includes a music functional identifier316A such as “My Music,” discernable from the television-viewingdistance 220. Again, and as with all functional identifiers, musicfunctional identifier 316A is not limited to a textual display but couldbe an icon or symbol that conveys to end-user 214 that following thelink will permit the playing of digital music. Third selectable link 318allows end-user 214 to view pictures stored on computer system 100 andincludes a third functional identifier 318A such as “My Pictures”discernable from the television-viewing distance. Fourth selectable link320 permits end-user 214 to display previously recorded material on thecomputer 110 and includes a fourth functional identifier 320A such as“My Videos,” discernable from television-viewing distance 220. Main menudisplay 300 can also include a fifth selectable link 322 formanipulating the settings of the DUI 210 having a fifth functionalidentifier 322A such as “Settings,” discernable from television-viewingdistance 220.

Main menu display 300 also preferably includes a “now-playing” area 324permitting an end-user 214 to persistently view currently playing mediawhile navigating the various displays of DUI 210. This featureintelligently reduces currently playing media to a thumbnail size whilean end-user 214 navigates the DUI 210. For example, if a user were tofollow the “My TV” selectable link 312, choose a program to watch, andthen navigate back to the menu display 300, the program is reduced toplay in the now-playing area 324. This feature enables an end-user 214to continue to enjoy currently playing content while linking to otherdisplays. Although it could, the now-playing area 324 does not appearwhile viewing video full screen nor while playing a slide show in thepreferred embodiment. An exemplary screen shot of menu display 300 isdepicted in FIG. 3A.

Turning now to FIG. 4, following the “My TV” selectable link 312presents the end-user 214 with a second display, a display for viewingtelevision or other streaming media, and is referenced generally by thenumeral 400. Television display 400 has DUI perimeter 222 that consumesthe viewable area in a preferred embodiment. A television-viewingdisplay area 410 is included on television display 400. Televisiondisplay area 410 provides the ability for users to watch streaming videosuch as television programming, cable programming, satelliteprogramming, web-casts, and stored video such as home videos,time-delayed recordings, and DVD movies. Any other type of programmingprovided by a content provider capable of being inputted into computersystem 100 can be viewed in television display area 410, which can bemaximized to occupy all of DUI perimeter 222. Television display area410 is shown by illustration as consuming only a portion of televisiondisplay 400 to more easily describe other functions available.

Also included on television display 400 is a group of selectable links412 with corresponding functional identifiers discernable fromtelevision viewing-distance 220. Exemplary selectable links include a“Guide” link 414, a “Recorded TV” link 416, a TV “Search” link 418 and aTV “Settings” link 420. Following the “Recorded TV” link 416 allows auser to view previously recorded media content. Television is not theonly form of media content that can be recorded by “Recorded TV” link416. Rather, any media provided by a content provider such as CATV,satellite, web-casts, or pay-per-view programming is contemplated withinthe scope of the present invention.

“Guide” link 414 includes a guide link identifier 414A such as “Guide.”A TV guide selectable link marker 415 denotes which link has the focuson television display 400. As with all selectable link markers, TVselectable link marker 415 could take on a variety of forms. As shown,TV selectable link marker 415 has a background color different fromthose links which do not have the focus. For example, TV selectable linkmarker 415 could have a background color of green while the otherselectable links are blue.

The “Recorded TV” link 416 includes a recorded television linkidentifier 416A such as “Recorded TV.” Television search link 418includes a television search link identifier 418A such as “Search.”Television “Settings” link 420 includes a television link identifier420A such as “Settings.” As depicted in FIG. 4, each of the functionalidentifiers are text, however the identifiers need not be text. Rather,the functional identifiers could be icons or symbols associated with thefunctions performed by each selectable link. To help end-user 214 knowwhat program is being viewed, a programming data area 422 is providedbelow television-viewing area 410. Programming data area 422 couldprovide many levels and types of data regarding the currently viewedprogram as well as a description of programming available on differentchannels. For example, programming data area 422 includes the title ofthe current program, its run-time, and the channel being viewed. Ascreen shot 424 of an exemplary television display 400 is provided inFIG. 4A.

Following the “Guide” link 414 presents the end-user 214 with a listingof television programming, discernable from television-viewing distance220. A screen shot of an exemplary listing is depicted in FIG. 4B and isreferenced generally by numeral 426. The “Guide” could include showtimes and channels as well a description of programming shows, or paidadvertisements. Depending on the remote control 216 button pressed,selecting a program from the “Guide” 426 allows the user to view theprogram or takes a user to a screen where an option is presented torecord the program.

An exemplary recording display is depicted in FIG. 4C and is referencedgenerally by numeral 428. A variety of recording options are preferablymade available via the recording display 428 such as recording a series,only first runs, a certain number of episodes, and/or on certainchannels. Administrative settings can also be adjusted, for exampleduration to retain, recording quality, start time and stop time.Recordings are retained in video repository 226 for later playback, andare accessed via the “Recorded TV” link 416. Live TV can be routedthrough a buffer to permit pausing and instant replaying of livetelevision in a computer system.

Following TV “Search” link 418, the present invention presents a promptwhereby end-user 214 can enter search criteria to find programs ofchoice. End-user 214 can search for any item found in the television“Guide” 426. End-user 214 is preferably presented with various searchoptions such as Categories, Title, and Keyword. By providing the abilityfor users to search available programming, the present inventionprovides a fast method of locating features of interest.

Returning briefly to FIG. 3, second selectable link on menu display 300is shown as the “My Music” selectable link 316. This link can be anylink that permits users to peruse various music files stored on computer110 from a distance. Turning now to FIG. 5, following the musicselectable link 316 takes a user to a music listening display referencedgenerally by numeral 500. Music listening display 500 has DUI perimeter222 that consumes the viewable area in a preferred embodiment. Musiclistening display 500 includes a music selectable link 510 for acceptinga request to play a recording of music stored in music repository 223 oncomputer 110. A music selection identifier 512 is also included on musicdisplay area 500 and is discernable from the television viewing-distance220. The music selection identifier 512 indicates a tentative selectionand indicates what song, album, play-list, etc., is currently playing.The music selection identifier 512 can take on many forms, such as anicon or marker next to the currently playing song or, as depicted inFIG. 5, a highlighted selectable link. A picture of album art 514 canalso be displayed to a user on the music display 500, as well as a tracktitle identifier 515, and artist identifier 516.

Also included on music display area 500 is a group of music selectablelinks 518 enabling end-user 214 to easily navigate through the musicstored in music repository 223 from television-viewing distance 220.Exemplary music selectable links include an “Albums” selectable link520, an “Artists” selectable link 522, a “Playlists” selectable link524, a “Singles” selectable link 526, a “Genres” selectable link 528 anda “Find” selectable link 530. Each music selectable link includes amusic selectable link identifier similar to the aforementioned linkidentifiers and is referred to generally by numeral 531. The musicselectable link identifiers 531 are discernable from television-viewingdistance 220.

When the find music selectable link 530 is followed, the presentinvention presents a search form used to locate music stored on thecomputer system in the music repository 223. Although many methods arepossible, in a preferred embodiment music searches are conducted basedon a keyword search. An exemplary screen shot of a music listening area500 is provided in FIG. 5A.

Returning briefly to FIG. 3, following the “My Pictures” display link318 presents a user with a pictures display area as shown in FIG. 6 andreferenced generally by the numeral 600. Pictures display area has DUIperimeter 222 representing the preferred, maximized screen area.Pictures stored in the photograph repository 224 can be accessed via thepictures display 600. Photograph repository 224 can be a collection ofdigital photographs stored on computer 110. Photograph repository 224could simply be the hard drive of computer 110. Included on picturedisplay 600 are thumbnail previews of various pictures stored inphotograph repository 224. These thumbnails are discernable fromtelevision-viewing distance 220, at least enough to generally recognizethe content of the picture. A single picture thumbnail 610 is a smalldisplay of a larger picture. Each thumbnail picture 610 includes apicture identifier 612 such as “Favorite Pictures” or “Crew.” Pictureidentifiers 612 need not be purely textual, but could be symbols oricons as well. A picture marker 613 denotes which item has the focus onpicture display 600. The picture marker 613 can be an outline around apicture, as shown, but could also be any symbol or mark to denote whichpicture has the focus.

Using remote control 216, an end-user 214 can select an availablethumbnail 610 to view the picture full-screen. Also available onpictures display 600 are thumbnails of picture folders 614. A picturefolder thumbnail 614 depicts a small sampling preview of pictures 614Aavailable within a specific folder. When an end-user 214 clicks on afolder thumbnail 614, the various pictures 614A within that folder 614are displayed as individual picture thumbnails 610. Also included onpicture display 600 is a group of pictures selectable links 615 forcontrolling the viewing of various pictures in photograph repository224. Exemplary pictures selectable links include a “Play Slide Show”selectable link 616, a “Settings” selectable link 618, a “Sort by Name”selectable link 620, a “Sort by Date” selectable link 622, a “MyPictures” selectable link 624 and a “Shared Pictures” selectable link626.

The “Play Slide Show” selectable link 616 can be navigated to byend-user 214 and, when followed, presents an automatic display of agroup of pictures stored on the computer system 100. Following pictures“Settings” link 618 allows a user to modify certain display options ofpictures display area 600. Selecting the “Sort by Name” selectable link620 sorts the various thumbnails 610 and 614 in alphabetical order.Selecting the “Sort by Date” selectable link 622 sorts the thumbnails610 and 614 by date. The “My Pictures” selectable link 624 is a linkthat can display a certain folder's contents, such as the “My Pictures”folder found within the WINDOWS Operating System. Similarly, the “SharedPictures” link 626 can be used to display thumbnail previews of pictureswithin a certain directory such as a “My Pictures” directory. It isunderstood to one of ordinary skill in the art that various folderscould be preconfigured in addition to the “My Pictures” folder. Alsoincluded on the pictures display area 600 is the now playing area 324with the now playing identifier 324A. A screen shot of an exemplarypictures display area 600 is provided in FIG. 6A.

Again, returning briefly to FIG. 3, following the “My Videos” selectablelink 320 from menu display 300, a user is presented with a videosdisplay referenced generally by the numeral 700 in FIG. 7. Videosdisplay 700 includes a video thumbnail preview 710 of an available videostored in video repository 226, which can be hard drive 141. As the usershifts focus from various thumbnails of videos in display area 700, avideo marker 712 can be presented to the end-user 214 indicating whichitem has the focus. The video marker 712 is provided to indicate whichitem has the focus of video display 700. Videos display 700 alsoincludes a title bar 716 for displaying a title of a video observablefrom television-viewing distance 220. Also included in videos display700 are a group of videos selectable links including a videos “Sort byName” link 718, a videos “Sort by Date” link 720, a “My Videos” link722, and a “Shared Videos” selectable link 726. Each of theaforementioned selectable links includes selectable link identifiersreferenced generally by the numeral 728. The selectable link identifiers728 need not be text but could be icons or symbols. Also depicted, forthe first time, in FIG. 7 are two status bars including a now playingstatus bar 730 and a general status bar 734. The now playing status bar730 includes a group of now playing buttons 732 to control what is beingplayed in the now playing window 324. This now playing status bar 730could be displayed only when a user presses a certain button on remotecontrol 216 or directs a cursor to the lower left-hand portion ofwhichever screen the user is on. The second bar displayed on FIG. 7 (butwhich can be displayed on any of the aforementioned screens) is thegeneral status bar 734. The general status bar 734 can also be displayedpressing a certain button on remote control 216 or can be displayed inresponse to moving the cursor to the top of DUI perimeter 222. Specialtybuttons can be included on status bar 734 including a help button 736, aback button 738 or a Windows specialty button 740. An exemplary screenshot of videos display 700 is shown in FIG. 7A.

Following the “Settings” selectable link 322, as shown in FIG. 3, leadsa user to a “Settings” display referenced generally by the numeral 800in FIG. 8. Included on “Settings” display 800 is a group of settingsselectable links 816. A “Global” selectable link 810 modifies globalsettings, a “TV” selectable link 812 modifies TV settings and a“Pictures” selectable link 814 modifies settings related to displayingdigital photographs. Each of these selectable links has a selectablelink identifier referenced generally by the numeral 816. A “Settings”selectable link marker 818 denotes which selectable link has the focus.As with almost every other screen of the DUI, the now playing thumbnail324 and corresponding identifier 324A can be displayed on “Settings”display 800. An exemplary screen shot of “Settings” display 800 isprovided in FIG. 8A.

As can be understood, the method and system allow a user view andoperate a computer from a television-viewing distance. In addition, acentralized display for enjoying media content on a computer is madepossible by the present invention.

The present invention has been described in relation to particularembodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrativerather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent tothose skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains withoutdeparting from its scope.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, togetherwith other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system andmethod. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinationsare of utility and may be employed without reference to other featuresand sub-combinations. This is contemplated and with the scope of theclaims.

What the invention claimed is:
 1. One or more hardware memory storagedevices having embodied thereon computer-useable instructions that, whenexecuted, facilitate a method of switching between an arm's length userinterface and a distance user interface, the method comprising:presenting the arm's length user interface that is optimized to operatea computer from an arm's-length distance; and toggling the displaydevice from presenting the arm's length user interface to presenting thedistance user interface, wherein the distance user interface isoptimized for operating the computer from a television-viewing distance,and wherein the television-viewing distance measured in feet isapproximately half of a diagonal measure of the image displayed on thedisplay device measured in inches.
 2. The one or more hardware memorystorage devices of claim 1, wherein presenting the distance userinterface includes presenting a plurality of selectable links readablefrom the television-viewing distance.
 3. The one or more hardware memorystorage devices of claim 2, wherein presenting the plurality ofselectable links includes presenting corresponding functionalidentifiers discernable from the television-viewing distance andcorrelated to a function to be performed by following each of theselectable links.
 4. The one or more hardware memory storage devices ofclaim 3, wherein the plurality of selectable links comprises at leastone selected from the group of presenting a television program, playingan audio track, displaying a video recording, and displaying a picture.5. The one or more hardware memory storage devices of claim 1, whereinthe arm's length user interface is presented when input from a wireddevice is received.
 6. The one or more hardware memory storage devicesof claim 5, wherein the arm's length user interface is presented wheninput from a wired keyboard is received.
 7. The one or more hardwarememory storage devices of claim 5, wherein the arm's length userinterface is presented when input from a wired mouse is received.
 8. Theone or more hardware memory storage devices of claim 1, wherein thedistance user interface is presented when input from a wirelesslyconnected device is sensed.
 9. The one or more hardware memory storagedevices of claim 8, wherein the distance user interface is presentedwhen input from a wireless keyboard is received.
 10. The one or morehardware memory storage devices of claim 8, wherein the distance userinterface is presented when input from a wireless remote control isreceived.
 11. A system for switching between an arm's length userinterface and a distance user interface, the system comprising: adisplay configured to display output images from a computing device; aremote control device configured to send commands to the computingdevice; the computing device configured to A) present on the display thearm's length user interface that is optimized to operate a computer froman arm's-length distance; B) receive a first command from the remotecontrol device; C) in response to the first command, toggle the displayfrom the arm's length user interface to the distance user interface,wherein the distance interface is optimized for operating the computerfrom a television-viewing distance, wherein the television-viewingdistance measured in feet is approximately half of a diagonal measure ofthe image displayed on the display device measured in inches.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11, the computing device further configured to: receivea second command; in response to the second command, toggle the displayfrom the distance user interface to the arm's length user interface. 13.The system of claim 11, wherein the distance user interface includes ascreen-area inset that persistently presents a selected media contentwhile navigating from a first screen to a second screen in the distanceuser interface, and wherein the selected media content that is presentedon the first screen continues to be presented on the second screen. 14.A method of switching between an arm's length user interface and adistance user interface, the method comprising: presenting on a displayan arm's length user interface that is optimized to operate a computerfrom an arm's-length distance; receiving a first command; determiningwhether the first command is from a wired device or awirelessly-connected device; when the command is from a wired device,then continuing to present the arm's length user interface; when thecommand is from a wirelessly-connected device, then toggling the displayfrom the arm's length user interface to the distance user interface,wherein the distance user interface is optimized for operating thecomputer from a television-viewing distance, and wherein thetelevision-viewing distance measured in feet is approximately half of adiagonal measure of the image displayed on the display device measuredin inches.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: while thedistance user interface is presented on the display, receiving a secondcommand; determining whether the second command is from a wired deviceor a wirelessly-connected device; when the command is from awirelessly-connected device, then continuing to present the distanceuser interface; when the command is from a wired device, then togglingthe display from the distance user interface to the arm's length userinterface.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing fora presentation of a plurality of selectable links that can be utilizedto operate the computer from the television-viewing distance, whereinthe selectable links are integrated within the distance user interface.17. The method of claim 16, further comprising presenting a screen-areainset in the distance user interface that persistently presents aselected media content while navigating through the selectable links inthe distance user interface.